Canterbury Cathedral
One of England's largest cathedrals, and centre of the Church of England, with the Black Prince's tomb (1376) with his breastplate and sword in a glass case 5 metres away, and also the site of Archbishop Thomas Becket's murder (NW Transept).
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (7 p.m. in Summer)
Museum of Canterbury
The city's principal museum, housed in a beautiful 13th-century building which has at different times been a Poor Priests' Hospital ('hospital' meaning a place of accommodation) and a Workhouse. Huguenot Bible from the 1580's, 'Invicta' locomotive that ran on Canterbury - Whitstable railway in 1830's.
Open: 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - last entry 4.00 p.m. Sundays in Summer: 1.30 to 5 p.m
Roman Museum
Built around the partial remains of a private Roman house. Includes two Roman swords found in graveyard and the hinge from one of the Roman gates in the city walls.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - last entry 4 p.m. Sundays 1.30 to 5 p.m. (summer)
St Martin's Church
North Holmes Road. Founded in Roman times. Oldest continuously used church in Britain. Roman brickwork visible in outside (south) wall of Chancel. Queen Bertha welcomed St. Augustine here in AD597
Greyfriars, Blackfriars, and Eastbridge Hospital
The oldest Franciscan building in Britain, spanning the River Stour [12th and 13th century buildings]. A single building remains from the Greyfriars community (1267): this can be viewed from the footpath that crosses the River beside the Heritage Museum.
Eastbridge Hospital, built c.1180 for pilgrims visiting Becket's shrine, has a chapel and undercroft and the attached almshouses span the River.
Two buildings remain from Blackfriars: the Refectory east of the River, and the guest-house to the west. (Not open to the public), but both visible from Solly's Orchards (the riverside gardens) off St Peter's Lane.
St Augustine's Abbey ruins
Founded 600 AD. Traces of three Saxon churches, burial sites of the 2nd-4th Archbishops of Canterbury, remains of Norman church, cloisters and monastic buildings. The Abbey is of great historical and religious importance and a World Heritage Site - part of Queen Bertha's walk (incorporating St. Martin's Church-oldest working parish church in England). One of the oldest monastic sites in Britain,the Abbey offers an insight into the history of Christianity as it unfolded . Interpretation centre includes the burial mitre of Abbot John Dygon and a pair of 10th century Corinthian capitols.
Open: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April to September, daily. October to March: Wednesday to Sunday only 10 a.m. to 4p.m.
The Westgate, Castle, and City Walls
Westgate Museum provides the chance to explore Canterbury's medieval fortified gatehouse with panoramic views from the battlements. Two 14th-century towers remain of the city walls; the rest of the wall here was demolished in the 1700's. The empty shell of the massive Norman keep further around the city wall (the third largest in England) is impressive when viewed from inside: only the bottom two-thirds of it remains.
East Bridge Hospital of St. Thomas
High Street - 01227 471688
Medieval pilgrims hospital with 12th century undercroft, refectory and chapel.
Canterbury Tales
St Margaret's St - 01227 479227
Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era, with the company of Geoffrey Chaucer's colourful characters on their pilgrimage from London to St Thomas Beckets shrine in the cathedral.
Open:
.March to June - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
September to October - 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m
July to August - 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Leeds Castle - Nr Maidstone
Set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland , the castle is listed in the Doomsday Book, originally the site of a manor for the Saxon royal family, and also a palace for King Henry VIII. 1,000 years of fascinating history, an aviary, a yew maze and a vineyard. Often described as a fairy tale castle.
Open:
April to October: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Gates close 7.00 p.m.)
November to March last admission 3.30 p.m. (Gates close 5.00 p.m.)
Latest entry 30 minutes after last admission time.
Wingham Wildlife Park - 01227 720 836
Indoor paradise with butterflies, animals, walk through covered parrot house, hot house plants, adventure play ground, tea room, gift shop.
Howletts Wild Animal Park, Bekesbourne - 08707 504 647
Home to more than 900 animals and 70 different species including gorillas, elephants, & tigers.
Canterbury is an ideal centre from which to explore the Kent countryside, with some of the most interesting castles and gardens in England, such as the "Loveliest Castle in the World" - Leeds Castle, or the historic Dover Castle.
The coast is only a short drive away; Whitstable famous for its oysters or the traditional English seaside resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.
